Murder Suspect Convicted

Jerry Haliburton waited four years on Death Row for another chance to clear his name, but a Palm Beach County jury on Friday again found him guilty of first-degree murder.

Two years ago, the Florida Supreme Court ruled that Haliburton did not get a fair trial in 1983, when he first was convicted of killing Donald Bohannon by stabbing the West Palm Beach man 31 times in August 1981.

But in his retrial this week, jurors agreed with the original verdict after deliberating nearly six hours.

``Once again, justice has prevailed in this case,`` prosecutor Gay Broome said after the verdict was read.

Haliburton -- a slight, balding man who wears thick eyeglasses -- sat stonefaced after the verdict, while members of Bohannon`s family gasped and hugged each other.

Theresa Steele, who was engaged to Bohannon at the time of the murder, said she was surprised that Haliburton got another trial.

``I didn`t understand how we could have to go through this again,`` she said. ``Maybe it will be over this time.``

Haliburton could be sentenced to the electric chair -- as he was after the first trial -- or he could get life in prison with no chance of parole for 25 years. The jury is expected to recommend a sentence on Feb. 18.

As it did in the first trial, testimony from Haliburton`s half brother, Freddie, appeared to tip the scales against him.

Freddie Haliburton told jurors that Jerry Haliburton confessed to him about stabbing Bohannon.

``I`m disappointed, but I`m never surprised,`` said attorney Nelson Bailey, who defended Jerry Haliburton in both trials.

In the first trial, prosecutors based their case on three items: Freddie Haliburton`s testimony, Jerry Haliburton`s fingerprints that were found on a window at Bohannon`s apartment, and a statement Jerry Haliburton gave police that he had broken into Bohannon`s apartment.

Prosecutors prevailed, but the Florida Supreme Court granted Jerry Haliburton a new trial, ruling that police had violated his rights.

Jerry Haliburton had given police the statement unaware that his lawyer was barred from entering the police station.

Jerry Haliburton`s second trial began on Monday -- without his statement to police.

Perhaps the most damaging testimony came from Freddie Haliburton, who also was the state`s star witness in the first trial.

Last summer, however, Freddie Haliburton gave a sworn statement denying his original testimony, casting doubt on whether the state could prove its case against Jerry Haliburton.